Russia Restricts Adoptions To Countries With Same-Sex Marriage

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a government resolution imposing restrictions on the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

The document, which introduces amendments to last year's adoption law, was placed on the Russian government's website on February 13.

The document says that persons in official same-sex relations from countries where such relations are legally recognized, as well as unmarried heterosexual individuals from such countries, cannot adopt Russian orphans.

Russia passed a controversial law last year that bans the promotion of gay "propaganda" to minors.

The law's adoption sparked criticism by domestic and international rights defenders.

Activists believe the law has triggered antigay sentiment in the country.

Same-sex relations were decriminalized in Russia in the 1990s but society remains largely intolerant of homosexuality.